The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-09-06

begun by the choir singing the nylhh
commencing:
To Him who made the world.
Prayer by Elder Elias Morris.
Singing of the hymn, by the choir and
congregation:
Come, come, We Saints, no toll nor labor fear.
ELDER JOHN NICHOLSON responded to
The call of the presiding officer, and be-
gan his remarks by saying that he felt
hi, personal inadequacy to the duty, but
trusted in the sympathy, faith, prayers
I'd close attention of the congregation.
rere are many topics, he continued,
,hich might be dWelt upon; the field IS
broad that it is difficult, at times, to
,.Iect a subject which would prove in
eresting to the listeners. The great
Prerequisite to the edi6cation of a con-
regation is the Spirit of God. He de-
red the presence of that divine inf1u-
ace, that peace and comfort might pre-
ade the hearts of all. The work of the
.atter-day Saints Is marvellous one
I'D excites the admiration of many
,eople throughout the world. 1t was
lis personal opinion that many who
7ere opposed to the work believed more
han they were willing to admit. Many
peculate concerning Mormonism. This
vas manifested, he said, by the ques-
ions asked. For instance, the inquiry
vas recently made, what would be the
effect of the death of President Taylor
IN the community called the Latter-day
saints? From the time of the first or
yanization of the church until now this
feeling has been exhibited. When
Joseph Smith sealed his testimony with
ais blood, it was predi 3ted that the
loom of the work he inaugurated was
Ugh. But the spectacle presented to-
law gives the lie to all such declara
ions. Perhaps the wish, though, was
ather to the thought. The work has
one forward. No sooner was Joseph
smith laid low than another man was
hosen to lead the people and carry on
he work of the gospel These predic
uons Of the downfall OF the church have
9een repeated over and over again.
elder Nicholson showed, in a plain
manner, the difference between these
raise predictions ana prophesies which
we're uttered by inspired men. Those
that are false are dictated by men IN
,ble to see into the future and are unin-
,pired. There has been a prediction
Ehich the Latter-day Saints believe to
ne correct, and that is, that when this
work was inaugurated the church of
Iesus Christ was organized and divine
| authority conferred on its priesthood, it
Fould be the usherifg in of the dispen-
s4tion OF the fulness of times, and that
tle authority bestowed on the priest
! mood would never be taken from the
nth. Consequently, if this be correct,
! II demonstrations concerning the
| oWnfall Of the church must fall to the
| ground. The existence of the commun-
\ ity showed the overruling hand of Pro-
| yidence in their preservation, and was
| ne of the greatest miracles ever per-
| formed on this continent. Their history
showed that before coming to Utah
| hey had been driven from pillar to post
| and harr8ssed and prosecuted. The cir
| ,umstanCes of adversely which sur
| rounded the early pioneers Of the church
| III Ohio, Missouri and elsewhere in the
| asst, when their property was burned or
| ontiscated and many laid down their
| ives for the cause of truth, the hard
hips, trials and sufferings they under
! went at the hands of ruthless nous, in
severe winter weather aud their being
iriYen into the wilderness, were forcibly
| referred to by the speaker, and cited as
nstaI ces of the strength OF the faith OF
the telievers in Mormonism in those
early days. He followed them across
the plains; through their difficulties and
persecution in this Territory mentioned
the devastating work of the crickets and
grasshoppers, and opposition OF toes
WITHOUT and foes within" How do the
Latter-day Saints look upon it? ne
asked. They look upon the prediction
of the downfall of the truth as based
upon mans unauthorized word. and
the prophecy that the work would go on
and grow as the basis on which they
built their hopes and to which they
pinned their faith. They implicitly |
placed their trust in that which is
divine. How did they view the martyr
dem of Joseph Smith? 1t was calam-
ity; the Latter-day Saints we're stricken
with deep sorrow. But no Latter day
Saint can believe it could occur without
the hand of God being connected with
it. and was as much part of the work
as was the cruc;fxion of Jesus, whose
servant he was. Why was the prophet
taken away when he WASP Because he
had accomplished the mission assigned |
him. He had fulfilled prophecy. espec-
ialIy that of the Apostle John, who said
the gospel should be established in the |
last DAYS. Also the reference of Jesus,
regarding the signs which should pre-
cede His second coming; And this |
gospel of the kingdom shall be preached |
as a witness and then shall the end |
come"
It is claimed by the Latter day Saints |
that Joseph Smith restored the gospel; |
the direct authority to act to the name
Of Jesus and the administration would |
have effect to be recognized in heaven.
r aith in the crucifed and risen Re
deemer was preached. The way was
opened BY which heaven could be re-
gained. The gospel OF baptism by i'm
mersiOn for the remission of sins. ad-
by authority was also taught,
and it was advocated that in order to be
RI adv for baptism, the candidate shall
repent from his sins. Having exercised
faith, rapented and been baptized, he is
ready for the reception of the gift of the
HOLY Ghost, through the laying on OF
hands by one having authority. these
were the initiatory steps in thai church
organized by Joseph Smith. Those who
had embraced the gospel had a testi-
mony that they had received the Holy